Portable folding table having nesting top and frame



Aug. 30, 1955 N. ROSENFELD 2,716,582

PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE HAVING NESTING TOP AND FRAME Filed May 7, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR:

Z Warm hm wd 1955 N. ROSENFELD 2,716,582

PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE HAVING NESTING TOP AND FRAME Filed May 7, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR:

United States PatentO PIERTABLE FQLDING TABLE HAVING NESTING TO? ANDFRAME Nathan Rosenfeld, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 7, 1953, Serial No. 353,480

5 Claims. (Cl. 31183) This invention relates to tables of generalutility and particularly to a table of the folding type adapted to theunfolded for use as a desk, drafting table, display table, a dinnertable or like support for various articles, and to be folded into acompact form for storing or transporting.

Various forms of folding tables are currently in use, such tablesusually having a table top and legs foldable against the bottom surfaceof the table top to reduce the into alignment with the other leg, afterwhich both legs are folded against the under side of the table top.While such a crossing leg table is more practical for heavier duty, itoccupies considerable space when in folded condition, the width orthickness of the folded table being the combined thickness of the foldedlegs and the table top.

it is an important object of my invention to provide an improved foldingtable which, in addition to being a highly practical table for heavyduty use, may be folded into a very compact package or unit, the foldedthickness of which is substantially equal to the thickness of a singleleg, the relatively pivoted legs at each end assuming a coplanarrelation when in folded position and these folded pairs of legs beingcoplanar with the corresponding folded legs at the opposite end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding table of thetype having crossing legs at its ends, the upper ends of the legs beingunconnected and providing sloping posts for supporting a table top whichrests upon said legs.

A related object is to provide locating and retaining means at the upperfree ends of the legs, said means being preferably in the nature ofupwardly directed locating pins or dowels adapted to be received inholes or recesses formed in the table top when the latter is placed uponthe legs,

the table top thus being readily removable by simply lifting it from theleg structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding table, of theclass referred to, in which the leg structure, when in folded condition,provides a centrally disposed rectangular recess or pocket, the ends ofwhich are defined by the innermost legs at the ends of the table, thewidth of the rectangular pocket being equal to the thickness of a legand equal to twice the thickness of the table top.

Another object is to provide a table of the type indicated in which thetable top is composed of two sections hinged at their adjoining edges toadapt them to be folded, one against the other for the purpose ofreducing the size of the table top to one-half its extended length. Inaccordance with another important object of my invention, the

2,716,582 Patented Aug. 30, 195-5 'ice folded: tabletop of reduced isize is insertable downwardly into the recess or pocket' mentionedaboveto adapt'it'to be enclosed within andprotected by the folded legs. 'Inorder to provi'deasupport for the inserted, folded table top, theinnermost legs at each end are equipped with channel-shaped brackets.or: rests for receiving the *lower corner portionsof the folded topsections. Another object is. to: provide a :table'of the'typespecifiedhavingmeans for releasably locking the upper endsof the folded legs inclosed relation and-for retaining the folded table top within the legstrueture,"this means preferably consisting of: a" flexible strapextending over the upper edges ofthe-folde'd top sections; with its ends'detachably connected to cross-bars extending between 'the'two'upstanding inne'r legs at one side-of the folded sections and betweenthe two upstanding outer legs at the other side of the top sections." 1i A further object'of the invention 'is to provide a folding table ofthe class designated-which includes handle means at the free ends of thefoldable top sections, these handle means projecting upwardly from thefolded'tableunit; to

'be grasped inahand of -a pers0n sothat the 'folded unit can bereadilycarried in *themanner ofa suitcase Furtherobj'ects willappea-rfrom thefollowing description and frornrthe-drawing which is'intendedfor thepurpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is-a perspective 'viewof the improved folding tabl'e, thepa-rtsibeing' shown in their operative, unfolded condition; f p v Fig. 2 is afront='elevational view,-showing -the table in its unfolded condition; 7Fig. 3 isa side elevational view "of the unfolded table; Fig-4 is a-view simi'larto Fig. 2, showing the parts of the table in foldedrelationf a Fig. 5 is a verticalsectional view, taken" on line 5\5nected; inthe manner to be later "explainedfto adapt them to befoldedtogether in inoperative positiornor unfolded tofapply thetable touse; p

Theframe rnember 10, hereinafter referred to as i the inner.framefinember, comprises a' pair of spaced uprightlegelementsTZ and '13which are connected at their upper and lower ends-by horizontalcross-strips .14-and 15; -It is to be noted that the strips 14 and 15are secured to th'e elements Hand 13 at their respecti-ve rearward and]forward s'ides'j The upper and lower ends of the-leg elements 12and"13-preferably are .beveled to causethem to assume a'horizontal'plane whenthe frame-member is in its inclined, open positionas shown sin: Figs." l-"an'd 3. Secured 'to' and project-.ingslightly'above the upper beveled ends of the lle elements 12 and 13are dowels16 and 16A. I

A front 'di'agonalbrace 17 has' itslower end secured against "the frontface of'the left-hand leg element 12 adjacent the lowervend thereof, andits upper end fastened against the ffrontnfa cei of the right-hand legelement 13 [adjacent.the-upperend thereof: A second," rear, diagonalbrace:18 :has:its'lower .end attached to the'rear face of -therig'ht-hand leg element ,13adjacent its lower end, thewupper end of thisstrut being joined to thefrear faceuof. theleft handlleg.element 12adjacent the upper end thereof. p t 1 The table structure. also includesthe second, outer frame membercll, this member'also having spaced up-.right leg elements 12A and. 13A, corresponding to the leg elementss llandlifi of therframe' rnemberltll The member 11 also has horizontalcross-strips 14A and 15A corresponding to the strips 14 and 15 of themember 10, the strip 14A being disposed at the rearward faces of the legelements 12A and 13A while the strip 15A is located against the frontfaces of the leg elements 12A and 13A. The upper and lower ends of theleg elements 12A and 13A also have beveled faces and dowels 16A areprovided at the upper bevel faces.

Secured against the front face of the left-hand leg element 12A,adjacent the lower end thereof, is a front, inclined brace 20, the otherend of this brace being attached to the front face of the right-hand legelement 13A at a location slightly below the mid point thereof. Asecond, rear, inclined brace 21 has its lower end fastened to the rearface of the right-hand leg element 13A at a location slightly above themid point thereof, the other end of this brace being secured against therear face of the left-hand leg element 12A adjacent the upper endthereof.

It is to be noted that the strips 14A and 15A of the rectangular frame11 are somewhat longer than the corresponding strips 14 and 15 of theframe 10. Consequently, the frame 19 is adapted to fit within theconfines of the frame 11 with its leg elements 12 and 13 disposedslightly inwardly of the corresponding leg elements 12A and 13A of theframe 11, and in parallel planes with respect thereto. Extending throughaligned holes in the leg elements 12, 12A and 13, 13A, at points midwayof the length thereof, are pivot studs 25 by which the frame members 10and 11 are pivotally connected, spacer discs or washers 26 beinginterposed between the adjacent leg elements to maintain them inslightly spaced relation. Nuts 27 screwed onto the inner, reduced endsof the studs 25 retain the parts connected.

By the specific structure described above, the frame members 10 and 11are adapted to assume the open, operative relation illustrated in Figs.1 to 3, that is, with their leg elements crossing. The frame members 10and 11 may, however, be folded to the closed, inoperative relation shownin Figs. 4 and when it is desired to transport or store the table. Suchfolding of the table structure is made possible through the particulararrangement of the various cross-strips and diagonal braces describedabove. To be more specific, the cross-strips 14, 15, 14A and 15A, beingdisposed at the appropriate front and rear faces of the respective legelements, straddle the sides of the leg elements when the structure isin folded condition (Fig. 5).

In like manner, the various braces 17, 18, 20 and 21 are positionedagainst the forward faces of those portions of the leg elements 12, 13,12A and 13A which fold rearwardly and against the rearward faces ofthose portions of the leg elements which fold forwardly when thestructure is folded into its compact closed relation. It is also to beobserved that the left-hand end of the brace 17 of the frame member islocated above the corresponding end of the brace 20 of the frame member11 and that the left-hand end of the brace 18 is located below thecorresponding end of the brace 21. By this provision, the various bracesof the structure are free from interference with one another as thetable is folded.

It is important to note at this point that by the particular arrangementof the cross-strips and braces, the leg elements 12, 13, 12A and 13A aredisposed in exact alignment or coplanar when the structure is in itsfully folded or contracted condition, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6.The folded structure thus has an unobstructed central compartment orvertical passageway, the sides of which are defined by the variouscross-strips and braces, and the ends of which are defined by the legelements 12 and 13 of the inner frame member 10, this space beingutilized for the purpose to be presently explained.

Opening or unfolding of the frame members 10 and 11 is limited by actionof a pair of two-part foldable latches or locks 30, the parts of eachlatch being pivotally connected together as indicated at 31 with theirouter ends pivotally connected to the leg elements as at 32. Detentmeans 33 is provided for limiting the unfolding or extending of theparts of the latches. When the latches are released by breaking theirparts upwardly at 31, the frame members 19 and 11 can be foldedtogether. After the structure has been folded, it may be retained inthis condition by any suitable means, for example by the strap 35 whichhas eyelets or grommets 36 at its ends adapted to snap over detent lugs37 projecting from the outer sides of the upper cross-strips 14 and 14A,the strap then extending across the upper edges of these crossstrips tomaintain the table structure closed.

My improved, folding table structure also includes a flat table top it?which, as illustrated, is composed of two sections 41 and 42 connectedat their adjoining transverse edges by hinges 3. The table top it)preferably is of larger area than that bounded by the upper portion ofthe unfolded table frame structure and is adapted to rest upon thecross-strips 14 and 14A, and upon the upper beveled ends of the legelements 12, 12A, 13 and 13A. The table top 40 is provided with smallrecesses or openings in its lower surface for receiving the upstandingdowels or locating lugs 16 so as to locate the table top centrally ofthe frame structure and prevent lateral displacement, while permittingremoval of the table top from said structure. At the free ends of thetable top sections 41 and 42 are pivoted handles 45 which may be of anysuitable type, for example U-shaped wire elements having their endspivoted in eyebolts 46 screwed into the edges of the sections.

In accordance with this invention, the table top 40 is adapted to beplaced within the frame structure after the latter has been folded tothe closed condition illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. To effect suchnesting of the table top within the folded frame structure, the end ofone of the top sections, for example the section 41, is lifted to freeit from the dowels 16, 16A, after which this section is folded over uponthe other section 42, this action bringing the handles 45 of the twosections adjacent. The two folded sections 41 and 42 are then liftedfrom the framework, after which the frame members it) and 11 are foldedtogether as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

Holding the folded table top 4! by the handles 45, the

operator now lowers the table top into the narrow, vertical spaceexisting between the folded frame members 10 and 11 and previouslymentioned. The folded table top 40 is lowered into channel-shapedsupports or rests 5t fastened to the inner sides of the leg elements 12and 13 of the inner frame member if), the upper edges of the topsections 41 and 42 then being flush with the upper edges of thecross-strips 14 and 14A. The retainer strap 35 then is passed throughthe handles 45 and its ends are detachably snapped over the pins or lugs37.

With the table top thus disposed Within the folded frame structure 10,11, a portable table unit is provided. As will be seen, this unit may beeasily carried by means of the handles 45 and, due to its very compactfolded size, it may conveniently be placed in a closet, against a wallor even in a drawer for storage purposes. Due to its compactness andlight weight, the folding table unit may be used for numerous purposes.For example, the unit may be readily placed in an automobile andtransported to a location where it is to be used as a drafting table ordisplay counter, and quickly set up for use without requiring assemblingof parts and without requiring tightening of screws, etc. Due to itsflat nature, the folded table unit can be placed in flat type cartonsfor shipment from the manufacturer to the retailer, thus conservingspace in the truck or other carrier. The folding table has many uses inthe home and in industry and due to its simplicity of manufacture it maybe sold at a relatively low price. Because of the diagonal bracing, thetable is especially strong and durable and can stand considerable abusewithout damage. The table is, therefore, suitable for use inmultipurpose school rooms where it is desirable to remove the tables tomake the room available for various activities.

The folding table is herein illustrated as having leg elements of solid,square cross-sectional shape but it will be apparent that thesecomponents may be of other crosssectional shapes and may be made fromaluminum or other metal tubing.

In order to retain the frames 10 and 11 in folded relation during theplacing of the folded table top therebetween, I employ a locking latch52 at each end of the table structure. As shown, each latch consists ofa bar having an end pivoted on a screw 53 screwed into the forward faceof the upright or leg element 12 or 13 of the frame 10. The other end ofeach latch 52 has a slot 54 adapted to engage behind the head of a screw55 screwed into the leg element 12A or 13A of the outer frame 11. Eachlatching bar 52 has an upper, laterally extending flange 56 providing afinger-piece for facilitating pivoting the latch from its operativeposition (Fig. 4) in which it engages the screw 55 to lock the frames 10and 11 in folded relation, to its inoperative position (Figs. 1 and 2)in which the latch is disengaged from the screw 55 to allow unfolding ofthe table.

While the improved folding table has been herein shown as embodied in apreferred form of construction, by way of example, it will be understoodthat various modifications might be made in the structure withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, I donot wish to be limited in this respect but to be afforded the full scopeof the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A folding table structure, comprising: a pair of rectangular framemembers, each having spaced upright leg elements and cross-stripsextending between their upper ends and between their lower ends, one ofsaid frame members being narrower than the other frame member anddisposed therein with the corresponding leg elements in juxtapositionand in crossing relation; means pivotally connecting the adjacent legelements of said frame members for pivotal movement from an open,crossing relation to a closed, coplanar relation, all of thecross-strips of said frame members being disposed at the outer sides oftheir leg elements, the upper ends of the leg elements of the narrowerframe member abutting the upper cross-strip of the other frame memberwhen said frame members are in folded relation; a pair of diagonalbraces extending between the leg elements of each frame member, saidbraces of each pair being secured against opposite sides of the legelements so as to be disposed laterally at opposite sides of the commonplane of the several leg elements when the latter are in foldedrelation, the leg elements of said narrower frame member defining theends and the several cross-strips and the braces defining the sides of avertical space of a width equal to the thickness of the leg elementsbetween the folded frame members; a table top remova-bly supported uponthe upper ends of said leg elements of said frame members; interengagingmeans on said leg elements and said table top for locating and retainingsaid table top laterally with respect to said frame members; andreleasable means extending between the upper cross-strips of said framemem bers and operative to retain the members in folded relation.

2. A folding table structure as defined in claim 1 in which said tabletop consists of two sections hingedly connected to adapt them forfolding from an extended,

coplanar relation to a side-by-side relation, the width of the table topbeing slightly less than the longitudinal length of said space and thecombined thickness of the folded sections being slightly less than thewidth of said space so that the folded table top sections are insertabledownwardly in said space.

3. A folding table structure as defined in claim 2, including supportingbracket means mounted on the inner facing sides of said narrower framemember, the lower end of the folded table top inserted into said spaceresting upon said bracket means.

4. A folding table structure as defined in claim 3, including handlemeans on at least one of said table top sections and accessible at thetop of the folded table structure. v

5. A folding table structure as defined in claim 4 in which said handlemeans consists of a loop-like element projectible above the top of thefolded table structure, said releasable retaining means consisting of astrap for extending through said loop-like element and across the upperend of the inserted folded table top to retain the latter in said space.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS362,825 Eulass May 10, 1887 369,856 Hulet Sept. 13, 1887 1,270,730Haydon June 25, 1918 1,460,216 Smith June 26, 1923 1,559,426 HekrdleOct. 27, 1925 1,582,756 Jennings Apr. 27, 1926 1,946,610 Bucholz Feb.13, 1934 1,949,662 Schenck Mar. 6, 1934

